Saturday's 29-6 loss to Michigan State may have been the most embarrassing defeat of Brady Hoke's tenure at Michigan.

The Wolverines (6-2, 2-2) had lost four in a row prior to winning in 2012. Looking for back-to-back wins, they were met by a tenacious Spartans (8-1, 5-0) defense that sacked Devin Gardner seven times.

Michigan rushed for minus-48 yards, its lowest total ever (per ABC live report).

Why didn't Hoke take a shot before halftime? How could a team that averaged 42 points fail to score a touchdown?

This slideshow will examine why the Wolverines fell to their in-state rivals for the fifth time in six years.

Loss Is on Coaching

Mike Carter-USA TODAY SportsBrady Hoke suffered a lopsided loss in East Lansing. And the loss rests on the shoulder of his staff.

Brady Hoke has been battered this season, and last, for questionable calls.

Well, Saturday was the final straw. His overly conservative play cost Michigan a chance, at the very least, for six points prior to halftime. Instead of testing Gardner's arm, Hoke opted to take a knee and head into halftime down 13-6.

That was a bad move. The Spartans got the ball back in the second half. And although they didn't immediately score, they continued to pile on Michigan.

Gardner Was Overhyped

Don't be ashamed if you thought that Devin Gardner was going to be a star this season.

You weren't the only one (ahem).

That being said, it's clear that his tires were pumped a little too much by Wolverines fans and media members. After a sparkling five-game close to 2012, Gardner looked like he was the answer to Michigan's problems.

This season, Gardner has been good against the bad, and bad against the good. Michigan State's defense is one of the country's elite and played as such. Gardner isn't an elite quarterback, and he played as such.

Dantonio Was Ready

A 12-10 loss had people thinking that Michigan State's four-year stretch of dominance was a mere fluke.

Not so.

Not after Saturday's 29-6 pummeling of Michigan.

The 23-point win had the feel of a 50-point trouncing. If you watched closely, you would have witnessed the air exit Michigan's sails after Connor Cook found Bennie Fowler for a 14-yard touchdown prior to halftime.

During sideline interviews with ABC, Mark Dantonio talked of "letting the lion out of the cage." Well, if Denicos Allen was a lion, Dantonio did just that.

At 5-0 in the Big Ten, the Spartans are in firm control of the Legends Division. Dantonio knew what Saturday's game meant.

Michigan's Secondary Is Falling Apart

But he appeared close to being one Saturday with his calm approach against Michigan.

The first-year starter picked apart Michigan's secondary at will. If not for Fowler's drop in the first half, Cook would have had a pair of passing touchdowns on the day.

Three Spartans had more than 60 receiving yards. Cook threaded the ball through each crevice, and Michigan couldn't do anything about it. He completed at least four passes for 20 yards or better.

That's called lighting up the defensive backs.

By way of a tip, Jourdan Lewis saved the touchdown during Fowler's drop. Blake Countess was a virtual non-factor. Raymon Taylor gave Team 134 a fighting chance with an interception late in the third quarter.

Other than that, Michigan received very little from a unit that was supposed to be a strength.

Michigan State Is Better Program

Right here, right now, Michigan State is the best team in the state. No question.

Dantonio has 32 league wins and won a share of the Big Ten in 2010. Hoke hasn't come close to that after his first year when Michigan won the Sugar Bowl, a game in which the Spartans were deserving of.

Today, in November of 2013, the Spartans are the better team than Michigan.